I was fortunate to get invited to the Master’s 91st birthday at his museum, La Collezione in Cambiago by his grandson, Alessandro Brambilla…
Ernesto Colnago’s 91st birthday invite.
I was happy to see my friend Sr Alex Colnago, son of Paolino Colnago (Ernesto’s little brother)…
Alex Colnago
Here with Alessandro Brambilla , Ernesto’s grandson
Alex and Alessandro Brambilla Colnago
Also good to see my friend Sr Antonio Colombo..
Sr Antonio Colombo
Seen here with The Master …
Sr’s Ernesto Colnago and Antonio Colombo Sr Colnago cutting the cake Great to see Sr Gianni Motta again
Mr Stash and Nadir , the man who put the “Look Ma No Brakes” art exhibition in Toronto together , bring Mr Stash and Futura to design decor for Colnago Master Pista frames , and two roadbikes
1982 Colnago Super ‘Profil’ , Goodwood ‘82 World Champion Beppe Saronni bike.
(Photo author , at La Collezione private preview , 12/22)
A while back a bicycle enthusiast contacted me for Colnago information , stating he was writing an article , and wanted to link to my site (here). I refused, deciding it was plagiaristic and lazy.
Following one post which was written in 2020 and completely misleading, with false information, and seeing the writer choose to reference me , I sent confirmation of what Colnago stated the bike that won Goodwood is on their official Facebook page in 2021 .
The writer did not correct the misleading article once made aware, so it will now be addressed properly here.
“SARONNI’S 1982 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BIKE CONFIRMED “
“ Part of this confusion can be attributed to a sign that is attached to Saronni’s bike in the Colnago museum that says ‘SUPER – Acciaio’ which translates as ‘SUPER – Steel’. However, if you visit the Colnago website ‘Hall of Fame’ page, you will see Saronni’s 1982 World Championship bike with a caption saying he won this race on a Mexico. These two pieces of information are conflicting.
So I emailed Colnago with the question: Which bike was it, a Super (Profil) or Nuovo Mexico? I received a reply from Colnago’s Chief Press Officer advising that Saronni’s bike was a ‘New Mexico’, the website it correct, the placard in the museum was incorrect. So ‘case closed’ – you would expect.
However, I was recently contacted by a vintage bike enthusiast (refer comments section below) whom has written a long article discussing this same topic. The premise of his article contradicts the information presented on Colango’s website. The author states that he has confirmed with Mr. Alex Colnago and Mr. Saronni that the bike used to win these world championships was definitely a Super – that featured crimped tubes.
So, like you, I’m a bit puzzled as I would expect Colnago to be an authoritative source about their own cycling history?”
(Quote “Rouler” , author Cycling Obsession)
Well , the writer has no contact with the Colnago family , and never met Saronni to ask him .
Soon after , the official Colnago Goodwood info was posted …
The author posts a renovation thread , the only one on the whole site , re. a 1st gen circa ‘83/84 Nuovo Mexico , again with misleading info…
“The Nuovo Mexico is widely associated with Giuseppe (Beppe) Saronni and his successful Del Tongo team who raced on Colnago bikes. The Nuovo Mexico was no doubt instrumental in some of his victories which include the 1983 Giro d’Italia and Milan-San Rem”
As the above Colnago social media post states , Sarroni won the 83 Giro on a Super Profil.
Regarding “contradicts information”, one can find more misinformation on the authors site , eg, the C40 .
The first edition C40 had completely round tubes. As seen on one of the examples I owned….
Here in the writers article, he completely dismisses this as the first version C40 , simply because he hasn’t seen one ‘in the flesh’, or the correct catalogue …
“
“Colnago C40 Prototype (pre-1994)
When researching the C40 on the internet, there is mention of an earlier carbon lugged frame with round carbon tubes rather than the Master profile tubes usually found on the C40. However, I decided to only include C40 frames in this article that were listed in the Colnago catalogs and were therefore widely available to the general public.”
Quite arrogant to try and re write the history of one of the most iconic carbon racebikes .
Because of the authors lack of grasp of truth, one has to question his whole site . Titled as this…
“COLNAGO C40 – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE”
It clearly is not , it’s just an opinion of the C40 .
Here are the emails from 2019 where I am asked to give a third party access to my blog and intellectual property . The email states the intent to post on a third party site, which is compiled completely of others work.
Following the email request , the third party then posts about the Super Profil , with a very similar title to my own article .
The person clearly cannot ‘date’ vintage Colnago’s , as you see here they date the 84/85 Super Profil as an ‘82 . 84/85 has flat stay caps , where as the 82 is fluted .
Here is the 1982 Saronni Super Profil , that won Goodwood , photo mine taken on one of my Colnago factory visits and when I was invited to Sr Ernesto’s 91st birthday at La Collezione
While I was in in the Treviso region for Novo Eroica Valdobbiadene, I went to Treviso town, and visited the Pinarello factory site.
Pinarello Factory , Treviso
Clearly seen in the high windows there were some of the most iconic design Pinarello bikes, but due to Covid protocol, the factory was not open to the public.
Just across the road was the brand retail outlet , Bottega Pinarello…
Ride highlight of the year is always L’ Eroica Gaiole, and 2023 did not disappoint.
Colnago Master Progress , Del Tongo team, on loan to Colnago from Sr Beppe SaronniColnago Master Progress bottom bracket shell, a gift from Colnago.
I managed to get Sr Beppe Saronni to sign a Del Tongo team jersey while he was at the Colnago stand, and he later signed a copy of his book for me too…
Photo thanks to my friend, legendary German collector King Thai Do.
For the ride, I took the circle ’76 Tommasini I got near Grosseto earlier on…
Dressed for battle…
At the Tommasini stall I caught up with Roberta Tommasini’s husband and son, left , and my friend, Franz …
I did the medium route, and the bike was as smooth as silk, I never had to walk the walk on the Strada with the compact type gear set up …
Once finished, I managed to find Roberta on her stall , and give her the medal from the ride. A thank you for giving me the jersey for my birthday when I visited the family factory a while back…
It was very kind of Tommasini to put me on their social feed too…
Just after I left Roberta, I bumped into Eroica President, Sr Franco Rossi
I met the legendary U.K. rider “Pepsi Guy” too on the ride…
The day before ( Saturday) was for the long route, and I managed to catch my friend Eugenio Simoncini as he was just finished…
A real deal Tough Tuscan long distance rider, Eugenio is also the 3rd generation of frame builder in his family brand.
Great to see Sr Antonio Colombo and his partner Alessandra, who designed some of the best Cinelli art styles in my opinion.
Also great to see was this unique Colnago Master. Owned by my friend, Masi builder, owner , master artisan and bike collector, Simone D’Urbino Tomby.
Made by Colnago for the Silva company…
Probably the only Master with a flat crown fork..
The seat stay cap is a ‘fast-back’ style, and the least most has four flutes, like a Gilco tube.
Another rarity in Sr D’Urbino Tomby’s collection is this Mario Confente…
Also lucky to see a Richard Sachs in Tuscany…
L’Eroica is best for catching up with friends, and the best part of the weekend was being with legend Libero Colombini, a.k.a ‘Popeye’ , a veteran of 12 long route rides and old school racer. We hadn’t been together since before covid…
Popeye came to my friend Beppe’s stall and told me to come with him. I don’t speak much Italian and he does not English, but we understand each other. We walked through Gaiole to see his personal bikes .
All made to fight the good fight in the Strada Bianca battle, triple cranksets, long cage rear mech’s and knobbly tyres are what Popeye recommends ….